God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed is how Elijah’s complaint against Israel is used as evidence that God hasn't rejected His people. Paul is showing that even when God's prophet felt utterly alone and was speaking against the nation, God still had a hidden remnant preserved for Himself, proving His faithfulness wasn't extinguished.
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is responding to the rhetorical question of whether God has completely abandoned his people, Israel. He asserts that God's covenant faithfulness means He hasn't cast them off, especially those He "foreknew"—meaning those He chose according to His eternal plan. To illustrate this point, Paul brings up the prophet Elijah, who felt utterly alone in his stand for God, even appealing to God against Israel due to their widespread idolatry.
When Scripture says God 'foreknew' Israel, it's not just a passive prediction. It's a deep, active commitment from eternity past.
The word 'foreknew' here carries a rich meaning beyond simply knowing what would happen. It implies a purposeful selection, a choice made in God's eternal plan before creation.
Even a mighty prophet like Elijah felt utterly alone, convinced God's people had abandoned Him. What can we learn from his moment of despair?
Paul uses the story of Elijah to show that outward appearances can be deceiving when it comes to God's people. Even in times of widespread spiritual decline, God has a hidden remnant.
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Understand the original words
proegnō · Greek Verb
The act of God knowing beforehand, specifically in the context of salvation and covenant relationship. It implies an intimate, intentional, and sovereign choice or decree before the foundation of the world.
graphē · Greek Noun
The sacred writings of the Old and New Testament, viewed as the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God.
Paul uses Elijah's experience, where he felt abandoned but God revealed a hidden remnant, to assure the Romans that even though many Jews rejected Jesus, God had not abandoned His people, but had preserved a faithful remnant according to His sovereign election.
c. 870 BC
Elijah's Confrontation on Mount Carmel
During the reign of King Ahab, the prophet Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal and Asherah to a contest on Mount Carmel to determine whose God was the true God. Elijah's God answered with fire, vindicating Elijah and leading to the slaughter of Baal's prophets.
c. 870 BC— this verse
Elijah Flees to Horeb
After his victory, Jezebel threatened Elijah's life. Fearing for his safety, Elijah fled south to Mount Horeb (Sinai), feeling utterly alone and discouraged about Israel's spiritual state.
c. 870 BC
God's Commission to Elijah
At Horeb, God spoke to Elijah, revealing that He had reserved seven thousand faithful Israelites who had not bowed to Baal. God also instructed Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Syria and Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as a prophet in his place.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The southern kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon, its capital Jerusalem was destroyed, and many of its people were exiled. This event marked a significant turning point, raising questions about God's faithfulness to His covenant people.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
After 70 years, the Persian king Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked a restoration but not a complete return to national sovereignty or the Davidic monarchy.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
The Messiah, Jesus, was crucified by Jewish and Roman authorities. Many Israelites rejected Him as their King, leading to a crisis of understanding about God's plan for His people.
c. AD 40-60
Apostolic Ministry to Jews and Gentiles
The apostles, including Paul, preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire, with significant numbers of Gentiles turning to faith while many Jews continued to reject Christ.
This is the passage Paul directly alludes to, showing Elijah's complaint to God about the state of Israel and his own isolation, highlighting a historical precedent of divine preservation amidst apparent abandonment.
1 Kings 19:18This verse reveals God's response to Elijah, stating that He had reserved seven thousand for Himself, demonstrating that even in Elijah's darkest hour, God's people were not entirely cast off.
Romans 8:29This verse defines 'foreknew' in a similar context, linking it to God's predeterminate purpose and predestination, clarifying that God's foreknowledge of His people is rooted in His eternal plan, not just foresight of their actions.
Isaiah 49:14-16This prophetic passage echoes the sentiment of feeling forsaken ('Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me''), but God's immediate response is a powerful affirmation of His unwavering remembrance and commitment to His people.
Jeremiah 31:35-37This passage assures the permanence of Israel as God's people, emphasizing that if the created order were to fail, then God's relationship with His chosen people would also cease, highlighting the immutability of His covenant promises.
ellicottRomans 11:2: "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,"
(2) Which he foreknew. —This must not be pressed too far, as implying an absolute indefectibility of the divine favour. God, having in His eternal counsels set His choice upon Israel as His peculiar people, will not readily disown them. Nor is their case really so bad as it may seem. Now, as in the days of Elijah, there are a…
barnesRomans 11:2: "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,"
God hath set cast away - This is an explicit denial of the objection. Which he foreknew - The word "foreknew" is expressive not merely of foreseeing a thing, but implies in this place a previous purpose or plan; see the note at Romans 8:29. The meaning of the passage is simply, God has not cast off those whom he had before pu…
What's easily missed is how Elijah’s complaint against Israel is used as evidence that God hasn't rejected His people. Paul is showing that even when God's prophet felt utterly alone and was speaking against the nation, God still had a hidden remnant preserved for Himself, proving His faithfulness wasn't extinguished.
Paul is responding to the rhetorical question of whether God has completely abandoned his people, Israel. He asserts that God's covenant faithfulness means He hasn't cast them off, especially those He "foreknew"—meaning those He chose according to His eternal plan. To illustrate this point, Paul brings up the prophet Elijah, who felt utterly alone in his stand for God, even appealing to God against Israel due to their widespread idolatry.
Paul is responding to the rhetorical question of whether God has completely abandoned his people, Israel. He asserts that God's covenant faithfulness means He hasn't cast them off, especially those He "foreknew"—meaning those He chose according to His eternal plan. To illustrate this point, Paul brings up the prophet Elijah, who felt utterly alone in his stand for God, even appealing to God against Israel due to their widespread idolatry.
"God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?" — What's easily missed is how Elijah’s complaint against Israel is used as evidence that God hasn't rejected His people. Paul is showing that even when God's prophet felt utterly alone and was spea…
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Last reviewed October 2026